Child proof closure for containers

ABSTRACT

A child proof closure for containers having a threaded neck. A screw type cap has an annular groove in the side of said cap adjacent to the top thereof, and a first circle of teeth on the upper side of the cap. A drive member fits over said cap and has a second circle of teeth adapted to engage said first circle of teeth when said drive member is firmly squeezed in upon said cap. The drive member has a lower lip turned inwardly to engage said groove with a loose fit to permit easy rotation of said drive member when the drive member is not squeezed on the cap. It is necessary to squeeze and turn said drive member simultaneously to unscrew said cap.

United States Patent 0191 Scuderi May 7, 1974 CHILD PROOF CLOSURE FOR CONTAINERS Primary Examiner- George T. Hall [75] Inventor: Vincent Scuderi, East Williston, Attorney Agent or Firm-James Malone [57] ABSTRACT [73] Asslgnee: van Blarcom Closures A child proof closure for containers having a threaded Brooklyn neck. A screw type cap has an annular groove in the [22] Filed; July 19, 72 side of said cap adjacent to the top thereof, and a first circle of teeth on the upper side of the cap. A drive [2]] Appl' N03 273,176 member fits over said cap and has a second circle of 1 teeth adapted to engage said first circle of teeth when 52 US. Cl. .3 215/9 Said drive member is firmly Squeezed in p said p- 51 Im. c1 B65d 55/02 The drive member has a lower lip turned inwardly to 58 Field of Search 215/9, 430 engage Said groove with loose fit to permit y rotation of said drive member when the drive member is 5 References Cited not squeezed on the cap. It is necessary to squeeze UNITED STATES PATENTS and turn said drive member simultaneously to unscrew 3,733,000 5/1973 Scuderi 215/9 3,027,035 3/1962 'Farago 215/9 2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDm H914 3309; 274

FIG.1 F|G.2

medicine bottles and have swallowed the contents, causing severe personal injury and death in some cases.

Accordingly, a principal object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for child proof closure for containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for child proof closure for containers of the type having a threaded neck.

Another object of the invention is to provide new and improved screw type closures for containers such as bottles which require simultaneous squeezing and tuming in order to unscrew the cap.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved screw type cap having a drive member loosely mounted on the cap wherein both the cap and the drive member have teeth which must'be engaged by firmly squeezing the drive member onto the cap and simultaneously turning in order to unscrew the cap.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved child proof closure for containers having a threaded neck comprising, a screw type cap, an annular groove in the side thereof adjacent to the top thereof, a first set of teeth on the side of said cap, a drive member loosely mounted on said cap, said drive member having a second set of teeth adapted to engage said first set of teeth when -said drive member is squeezed in upon saidcap, whereby it is necessary to press and turn said drive member simultaneously to unscrew said cap.

These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from .the following specifications and drawings of which,

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention, partially in section, in free position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the invention, partially in section, in engaged position.

FIG. 3 is a side viewof the cap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the drive member of FIG. 1.

Referring to the Figures, the cap 1 is a screw type cap which is adapted to be screwed onto a container such as medicine bottle, of the type which has a threaded neck. The cap is conventional except for two features. First the cap has a plurality of teeth 2, which are mounted on the upper side of the cap, and secondly, the cap has an annular groove 4, one purpose of which is to loosely retain the drive member 5, on base cap 1.

The drive member 5, has an inwardly turned lower lip 6, which is adapted to fit into the groove 4, so as to hold the drive member loosely on the cap. The drive member has a circle of teeth 7 on the interior of its upper surface which are adapted to mate with the teeth 2 of the cap 1 when the drive member is squeezed in on the cap.

The drive member is mounted on the cap and the dimensions are such that the drive member is retained loosely on the cap so that it can be easily turned without turning the cap, as shown in FIG. 1

In order to unscrew the cap, it is necessary to firmly squeeze the drive member and turn it simultaneously so that the teeth of the drive member engage the teeth of the cap forming a clutch drive.

Therefore, a child merely turning the drive member will not unscrew the cap. The teeth are pointed or beveled with rounded edges so that a firm pressure is required to'hold them into engagement when unscrewing the cap.

It unlikely that a small child would be able to appreciate that it is necessary to press and turn simultaneously to unscrew the cap. Furthermore, since the teeth are not square, a small child would not have sufficient strength to hold the teeth in engagement while unscrewing the cap. v

The cap and drive member may be made of metal or plastic. If the parts are made of metal, the teeth may be pressed in. If the parts are made of plastic, the teeth may be molded. After the drive member is assembled onto the cap the lower lip of the drive member is turned inwardly to rest within the groove in the cap to retain the drive member loosely on the cap. The drive member is deformable so that it can be squeezed in upon the cap.- When the drive member is squeezed its lower lip is cammed by the annular groove 4 as shown in FIG. 2, causing the drive member 2 to slide down on the cap which enhances the gripping of the two sets of teeth.

I claim:

1. A child proof closure for containers having a threaded neck comprising;

a screw type cap,

an annular groove in the side thereof adjacent to the top thereof,

a first set of teeth on the upper side of said cap,

a drive member loosely mounted on said cap, said member having a second set of teeth adapted to engage said first set of teeth when said drive member is squeezed in upon said cap, whereby it is necessary to squeeze and turn said drive member simultaneously to unscrew said cap, saiddrive member having a lower lip turned inwardly to engage said annular groove, said groove and lip having a loose fit to permit easy rotation of drive member and retain the cap and drive member loosely together when it is not firmly pressed down on said cap.

2. Apparatus asin claim 1, wherein said teeth have rounded edges so as to require firm pressure to keep said teeth engaged while turning said drive member. 

1. A child proof closure for containers having a threaded neck comprising; a screw type cap, an annular groove in the side thereof adjacent to the top thereof, a first set of teeth on the upper side of said cap, a drive member loosely mounted on said cap, said member having a second set of teeth adapted to engage said first set of teeth when said drive member is squeezed in upon said cap, whereby it is necessary to squeeze and turn said drive member simultaneously to unscrew said cap, said drive member having a lower lip turned inwardly to engage said annular groove, said groove and lip having a loose fit to permit easy rotation of drive member and retain the cap and drive member loosely together when it is not firmly pressed down on said cap.
 2. Apparatus as in claim 1, wherein said teeth have rounded edges so as to require firm pressure to keep said teeth engaged while turning said drive member. 